You could see the legs were gone in the 3rd period. TK missing that goal, though give the defender some credit for tying him up (yes, size matters around the net, Foerster wouldn't be as easily moved). This was a winnable game, but still struggling to finish. This game also showed why it'll be hard to send Luchanko back, unless he falters, he's a better center at 18 than Poehling, Cates or Laughton.
While it's commendable that Foerster stood up for a teammate, it was a clean hit and the wrong time to do so and it probably was the difference in the game.
Michkov - he's still up and down, have to remember, check note, yeah, he's 19 and a rookie.
Frost - played better this game until he got blown up.
Brink - played better, the pass to Farabee was a beaut.
TK - another PK goal, but as usual he's frustrating, too many "almost" plays
Tippett - for once he passed when he should have shot
Couts - looked better, wonder if he's struggling to adjust to a lesser role, doesn't seem to be a physical issue, but maybe focus, he's used to being "the man."
Poehling - now we know why he's the 4C
Cates - now we know why they moved him to LW
Laughton - 30 is the cutoff for a lot of starters, 32 for top starters, moving to LW should extend his career by a year or two but not working so far
Foerster - too valuable to take yourself off the ice
Farabee - hopefully the goal will help him relax, overall he looks better this season
Hathaway - same as it ever was
York - bad play on the 2 on 1, other solid game playing lots of minutes
Sanheim - seems to be healthy and playing like it
Drysdale - he looks a lot healthier, now you know why they extended Seeler, he needs a reliable partner while he goes through growing pains
Risto - he's actually become the player CF thought he was trading for
Zamula - see little progress, he's 3LHD at best, still gets rag dolled along the boards, and lack of speed shows at time, Andrae will take his job next season
Johnson - 7th D-man playing out of position
Fedotov - was a bit shaky early on, one bad goal, one fluke goal, one tough goal. Kept them in the game most of the 3rd period then everything broke down. I wouldn't make a judgement until he has a half dozen games under his belt, he's working his way back and the NHL >> KHL. He's still better than Peterson/Sandstrom.